Run Forrest, Run!

My son is a freshman in high school.  It is a public school in our area but all in all, it offers a good education.  This is the first year, that I know of, that kids in our school district are required to do community service in order to graduate.  They must have a minimum of 20 hours by their senior year or they can't walk the stage.  Of course since my son has to have a minimum of 20 hours to graduate, that means mommy must also have a minimum of 20 hours for him to graduate. 

This past weekend was the first of our volunteer efforts together.  We volunteered to work at the Akron Marathon at a fluid station passing out water and power aid to the runners.  We were positioned at the 25 mile marker and the race is 26.2 miles so by the time they got to us, they were tired, hurting, sweaty, sore, delirous and thirsty. 

But I must say, when the first two gentlemen came past us, I got goose bumps.  They ran 26.2 miles in just over two hours.  I can't even begin to imagine.  And they didn't stop for water, they just kept running, not tired in the very least, like it was just another day at the office.  Not an ounce of fat on these guys.  They were truly inspiring.

We were told 115,000 people were running the race.  The youngest were two 10-year-olds and the oldest was 89.  I didn't see the 10-year-olds come by for water but I did see the older gentleman.  Here is a picture of our water station after we had set up waiting for the runners to come by.  At one point, before they closed the road, a semi whizzed by and several of our cups blew into the street. 

It is a great feeling when a runner grabs that cup of water from your hand.  Some drink it.  Some splash it on their face.  Some dump it on their front or on their back.  Whatever they need it for is fine with me, but it's still a wonderful feeling. 

I can't wait for next year!

Have a great Monday!

R. K. Avery
www.rkaverybooks.com
@RKAvery1